Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 55

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1172

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the owner of two hundred and forty acres devoted to the cultivation of diversified crops and also to stock raising. As an agriculturist he has won a position among the substantial citizens of this part of the state and he still owns and supervises his farm, although making his home in McCrory.

In 1898 Mr. Chaney was married to Miss Verna Winfree, a native of Hardeman county, Tennessee, and a daughter of Frank B. Winfree. They became parents of two children: Vera, who died at the age of four years; and Winfree, now twenty-two years of age. He was educated in the common schools of Woodruff county and in the Agri- cultural College of Jonesboro, Arkansas, and enlisted for service with the Marines during the World war, being trained at Port Royal, South Carolina. He served for forty-two months in Haiti and was discharged in November, 1921.

Mr. Chaney is a Baptist in religious faith and a democrat in his political views. In 1920 he was elected to the state legislature and is now a member of the general assembly. He served as chairman on the committee of enrolled bills and also as chairman of the committee on rules. He was made a member of the committee on levy and drainage, on roads and highways and on the penitentiary committee. He was the only man in the house who served as chairman of two committees and at all times he proved himself a loyal advocate and supporter of all progressive measures looking to the benefit and welfare of the state, his support of any measure being the result of careful investigation into its merits.

JOHN H. McMILLAN.

Admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1895, John H. McMillan has since made steady progress in his profession and as a partner in the firm of McMillan & McMillan he ranks as one of the leading attorneys of the state. Throughout the period since admitted to practice he has made his home in Arkadelphia, his native city. He was born March 27, 1871, and is a son of Henry W. McMillan, a prominent lawyer and lawmaker, who served in the state legislature from his district on two different occasions and was numbered among the foremost men of Clark county. He was a native of North Carolina and pursued his early education in Chapel Hill College at Raleigh, that state, there winning a literary degree and later his degree in law. In young manhood, ahout a decade prior to the Civil war, he came to Arkansas, settling first in Columbia county, where he taught school. Subsequently he became a teacher in the schools of Camden and in that city he was married. Later both he and his wife were teachers in the Camden schools. At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. McMillan enlisted for service in the Confederate army as a private and rose to the rank of colonel of his regiment, being on active duty through- out the period of hostilities. Following the close of the war he took up his abode in Arkadelphia and entered upon the practice of law, with which he was prominently identified to the time of his death. He left the impress of his individuality and ability in large measure upon the history of the city. He ranked with the ablest representatives of the bar here. He was very thorough, careful and conscientious in the preparation of his cases and presented his cause clearly and cogently before the courts, his reasoning being at all times sound and his deductions logical. Moreover, he closely studied the vital problems and issues of the day and did not a little to mold public thought and action. His interest in the general welfare was of a most tangible character and he became a recognized leader in the section of the state in which he made his home. In young manhood he wedded Miss Fannie T. Williams, a native of North Carolina, who was well known among the pioneer teachers of Arkansas. She, too, has departed this life.

John H. McMillan was educated in the public schools of Arkadelphia and in Ouachita College, which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Science degree in 1893. He afterward began preparation for the bar as a law student in the Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia, from which he received his degree in 1895. He was admitted to practice at the bars of Virginia and of Arkansas in the summer of that year and entered upon his professional duties in Arkadelphia, where he has become a prominent figure in the courts. For the past twenty-six years he has been active in upholding the legal status of this section of the state. Since beginning practice he has been associated with his brother, Dougald McMillan, and for the past three years a younger brother, David, has been a member of the firm, which has long held high rank as representative of the Arkansas bar.

On the 9th of September, 1901, John H. McMillan was married to Miss May Boswell of Arkadelphia, and they have become parents of a son and daughter: Boswell and Mary Ernestine. Fraternally Mr. McMillan is connected with Arkadelphia Lodge, No. 1149, B. P. O. E., also with the Woodmen of the World. His religious faith is that of the

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Baptist church, in which he is serving as deacon, while in all the work of the church he takes an active and helpful interest. Aside from his profession he is connected with the Merchants & Planters Bank of Arkadelphia as a director and he is the owner of a farm of thirty-five thousand acres in Clark connty, of which five hundred acres is under cultivation, being operated under the direct supervision of Mr. McMillan. His interest in agricultural life forms a helpful diversion from his law practice which makes heavy demands upon his time and energy. His devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

W. N. MARTIN.

W. N. Martin, engaged in the practice of law at Mena, was born on a farm in Greene county, Arkansas, April 22, 1870. His grandfather, W. G. Martin, spent his life in Illinois and it was in Edwardsville, that state, that William M. Martin was born in 1835. He served for four years in the Confederate army, in which he enlisted from Van Buren county, Arkansas, and on two or three occasions he was wounded. In young manhood he wedded Nancy J. Andrews, who was born in Greene county, Arkansas, in 1843 and this venerable couple are still living in this state. They were married in Greene county and Mr. Martin devoted his attention to farming and to the gunsmith trade. In 1876 he removed to Polk county, having been a resident of Little River county from 1870 until 1876. In 1880 he purchased a farm, on which he has since made his home and which is situated in the outskirts of Hatfield. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and politically he gives his support to the democratic party. In their family were five children, who are all living: W. N., of this review; Charles E., a resident of Hatfield, where he works for the Mill & Lumber Company; W. B., who is engaged in blacksmithing and general iron working at Nogal, New Mexico; Jolin W., who is with his father and mother on the farm, caring for the property; and Ida E., the wife of W. I. Green of Mena.

W. N. Martin, whose name introduces this review, pursued his education in the country schools of Polk county and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He continued to devote his attention to farming until 1904. when he removed to Mena. He had pre- viously filled the office of justice of the peace and in the year in which he took up his abode in Mena he was elected county clerk, occupying the position for four years, or until 1908. In 1910 he was elected county judge and served upon the bench until 1914. He had read law from early boyhood and he studied law throughout the time that he was in office, thus qualifying for admission to the bar in 1907. He began practice in Mena in connection with R. G. Shaver and Minor Pipkin and with the dissolution of that firm some time later he entered into partnership relations with Pole McPhetridge, in 1915. This firm has since been in existence and they have a very large clientage of a distinctively representative character. Mr. Martin has always realized the necessity of thorough preparation of his cases and he now devotes his entire time to his law practice and to his abstract business.

On the 4th of June, 1893, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Eliza Lena Callahan, who was born in Missouri. They have become parents of ten children: Jolin W., who is engaged in the abstract business at Mena and is now a candidate for the office of county tax collector; Marion, who is assistant cashier of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank at Mena: William B. and Goldie, both at home; Jean. a high school pupil; Lina Lee, Paul and Irene, who are all in school: and Mildred and Helen, who are not yet of school age. Mrs. Martin is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Martin is connected with the Woodmen of the World and his political endorsement has always heen given to the democratic party. Starting out in life with no special advantages beyond those afforded by the rural schools he has steadily worked his way upward, making good use of his time, talents and opportunities. He was a thorough- going farmer and he has proved a competent official, while at the present time he ranks with the prominent and representative lawyers at the Mena bar.

DANIEL WRIGHT GILL.

Daniel Wright Gill, a native son of Arkansas, has been identified with educational interests of the state for the past fourteen years and is now serving as superintendent of schools of Dumas, a position for which he is well qualified through comprehensive training and broad experience. He was born in Drew county, March 26, 1889, a son of

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William P. and Lucy Gill, natives of Mississippi. in which state they were reared and married. About 1880 they came to Arkansas, settling on a farm eight miles east of Monticello, in Drew county. The mother died there on the 19th of April, 1919. The father is still residing on the old homestead.

Mr. Gill was accorded liberal educational advantages, attending the district schools of Drew'county, the Hinemon University School at Monticello and Mace's Normal School at that place, while he also took a course in the State Normal at Conway. He next became a student at Peabody College of Nashville, Tennessee, and in 1908 took up educa- tional work, with which he has since been connected, confining his activities to the state of Arkansas. From 1909 until 1912 he served as superintendent of schools at Collins and in the latter year he was called to Redfield to fill a similar position, there remaining until 1916. The next two years were spent as superintendent of schools at Watson ( hapel and during 1918 and 1919 he acted in a similar capacity at Tillar, coming to Dunas in the fall of the latter year to take charge of the schools at this point. He has since remained at their head and has done much to improve the curriculum and methods of instruction followed in his district. He is conscientious and efficient in the discharge of his professional duties and under his able direction the public schools of Dumas have made splendid progress.

On February 5. 1911, Mr. Gill was united in marriage to Miss Cora Stephan of Little Rock, Arkansas, and they have four children: Stephan W., Daniel W., Jr., Marvin Gardner and Robert Dean. Mr. Gill is a member of the Baptist church and fraternally is identified with the Woodmen of the World and the Masons, belonging to Omega Lodge, No. 547, F. & A. M., of the latter organization. He has devoted his life to educational work, in which he has been very successful, gaining that expert ability which is acquired only through concentrated effort and specialized knowledge, and his enterprise, deter- mination and adherence to high standards have won for him the unqualified respect and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.

CLARENCE L. HUNT. D. D. S.

Dr. Clarence L. Hunt, an able representative of the dental profession of Fort Smith. not only deserves mention in this work as a prominent dentist and leading citizen but also as a member of one of the old and honored pioneer families of the state. He is a grandson of Hon. William H. Hunt, a Harvard graduate, who came from Georgia to Arkansas in the early period of settlement and development here and at one time served as a member of the legislature, aiding in shaping the policy and progress of the state in its formative period. His son, Charles Hunt, was a surveyor and did much important work of this character in Arkansas. Both he and his son, Dr. Hunt, were connected with topographical work for the railroad that was to extend from Ola to Hot Springs and in this connection estimated the timber, coal and the position for the railroad, which now extends from Ola to Plainview.

Charles Hunt was united in marriage to Ruth White and their family included Dr. Clarence L. Hunt of this review, who was born in Ola, Arkansas, in May, 1884. He acquired his primary education in Dardanelle and in 1901 made his way to Fort Smith, then a youth of seventeen years. Here he entered high school and completed the full course in three years. He afterward spent a year in study in the Central University at Danville, Kentucky, and later went east, attending the University of Pennsylvania from 1905 until 1908, in which year he completed his dental course and won his D. D. S. degree. Returning to Fort Smith, he spent four years in practice as the associate of Dr. W. T. Cate and in 1912 opened an office independently, since which time he has con- centrated his efforts and attention upon professional duties, which have constantly in- creased in volume and importance. He displays marked skill and ability in dental surgery, being thoroughly conversant with the most improved and advanced methods of caring for the teeth. His satisfied patrons are legion and his practice has largely grown through that advertising which comes when an individual speaks a favorable word for his dentist. At all times he has kept in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress and in addition to his extensive private practice he was dentist for the United States public health service in his district for about fifteen months and was also a dentist for the vocational training board.

While a student in Central University at Danville, Kentucky, and also in the University of Pennsylvania Dr. Hunt distinguished himself in athletics. He received three medals at the Central University and eighteen medals in the University of Penn- sylvania for his prowess in athletic sports. In the latter institution he made the record high jump. Even while a high school pupil he won a gold medal for three consecutive years as the best all-round athlete and he is still active and enjoys outdoor sports.

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During his school days he was given an opportunity to take part in the Olympic games which were held in London in 1908, but it was impossible for him to make the trip. Throughout his entire life he has recognized the fact that it is necessary not only to work well but to play well and that a man's success depends upon his recreation almost as much as upon his business activity. In other words there must be maintained an even balance for the best physical and mental development. The Doctor is still very fond of fishing and hunting and enjoys anything in the line of manly sports. At the same time no professional duty is neglected and his ability is widely recognized through- out Fort Smith and the surrounding country.

On the 27th of October, 1915, Dr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Lucia Belden, a daughter of Judge E. A. Belden, of Hamilton, Ohio, and they have become the parents of two children, Elizabeth and Lucia Leigh.

During the World war period Dr. Hunt served on the board of medical examiners. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the nature of his interests and activities is indicated in the fact that he has membership in the Business Men's Club, the Lions Club, the Noon Civics Club and the Country Club, manifesting an intense interest in all of those projects and plans which have to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the city. Along strictly professional lines he has membership in the Fort Smith District Dental Association, the Western District of the Arkansas State Dental Association and in the National Dental Association and through the proceedings of these bodies keeps thoroughly informed concerning the advanced steps that are being made by the profession.

JOHN HENRY KRUGER.

John Henry Kruger, whose training, experience and business activity have been such as to make him fit and ready to take a large place and play a large part in the world of men, is now the state sales manager for the Magnolia Petroleum Company. Important and responsible as is this position it has been attained solely through in- dividual merit and ability. He started out in the business world in the humble position of messenger boy with the Waters-Pierce Company of Galveston, Texas. Since that time he has made steady progress in connection with the oil industry and today his name is widely known in business circles not only in Arkansas but throughout the southwest. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, November 10, 1871, his parents being Edward Henry and Dora (Johnson) Kruger. The father was a musician, devoting his life to the art and his last days were spent in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a soldier of the Civil war, serving with the rank of corporal in the Union army and was with General Sherman on the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea. Because of wounds which he received during a charge on Rome, Georgia, he was not returned to active service. Both he and his wife have departed this life. Their family numbered three sons, one of whom died in infancy.

The youngest of the family, John Henry Kruger, was a young lad when his parents removed from Illinois to Atlanta, Georgia, where he pursued a public school education. He was a youth of eighteen years when he first became identified with the oil business in Galveston, Texas, as a representative of the Waters-Pierce Company in 1889, accept- ing the minor position of office boy. He was industrious and energetic and steadily won promotion, becoming bookkeeper and eventually an agent for the company at Galveston. in 1908. He continued to serve in that connection for three years, or until . 1911, when he accepted the position of sales agent with the Magnolia Petroleum Company at Gal- veston, his territory covering four counties. In that position he remained until 1913. when he was transferred to Fort Worth, Texas, as assistant manager of the northwestern division. In 1916 he was transferred to Little Rock as state manager of the Arkansas division of the Magnolia Petroleum Company and has since acted in that capacity, covering a period of five years. The Magnolia Petroleum Company was organized in 1911 and now has a capital stock of one hundred and twenty million dollars and also has nearly six hundred distributing stations in the southwest. The corporation not only owns valuable oil land that is doing splendid production work, but places upon the market many of its manufactured products, including engine oil, machine oil, cup grease, cylinder oil, tractor oil, auto oil, gasoline, gas engine oil, fibre grease and many other of its by-products. As manager of the Arkansas division Mr. Kruger has greatly de- veloped the business of the company in this state.

On the 22d of June, 1896, Mr. Kruger was married to Miss Mary Lallier Davison, who was born in Texas, in July, 1872. Their children are: Florence Dorothy, born in 1900 and now a graduate of the Little Rock high school, while for two years she has heen a student in the University of Arkansas; and Edward Davison, who was born in 1901 and is a graduate of the Little Rock high school with the class of 1920.

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The religious faith of the family is indicated by their membership in the Second Baptist church, in which Mr. Kruger is serving as a deacon. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, is a Scottish Rite Mason and is a member of the Spring Lake Club. His record is commendable and should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others. His steady rise with the company in spite of early educational disadvantages is certainly worthy of admiration. His leisure time in his youth and early manhood were given to study with the realization of the value of education as a factor in success in life. He is yet a comparatively young man and what he has already accomplished indicates that his future career will be well worth watching.

WILLIAM GUY PITTMAN, M. D.

Dr. William Guy Pittman, a physician of Pine Bluff, who is specializing in X-ray and laboratory work, is a native son of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Sparkman in 1881, his parents being J. T. and Elizabeth ( Williams) Pittman, who carefully directed the education of their son that he might have the opportunities for steady advancement in his chosen field of labor. He completed his more specifically literary training in the University of Arkansas and afterward entered the medical department of the University of Arkansas, and finally graduated from the University of Louisville in 1909, and the Illinois Medical College. He thus came under the instruction of some of the eminent medical educators of the country and in 1909 he opened an office in Grapevine, Arkansas, where he continued in practice until 1913. In that year he returned to his native city, where he practiced for a time and then removed to Little Rock, there specializing in X-ray and laboratory diagnosis. On leaving the capital city he came to Pine Bluff, in 1915, and now has a well equipped laboratory in the Citizens Bank build- ing, continuing, as he did in Little Rock, in X-ray and laboratory work. His practice of this character is now extensive and important and he occupies a prominent position in professional circles.

In 1910 Dr. Pittman was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Ross of Brooks, Arkansas, a daughter of J. R. and Lavinia ( Shell) Ross. Their children are: Hubert and Madero. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church, to the support of which they make generous contribution, while in the work of the church they are helpfully interested. Dr. Pitman served on the exemption board during the World war and he always stands for progressiveness in citizenship but has comparatively little time for work outside of the strict path of his profession, which is constantly making greater demands upon his time and energies.

GEORGE LEONARD MALLORY.

George Leonard Mallory has used his talents wisely and well in the field of law practice and has gained a most creditable position at the bar since entering upon the active work of the profession in 1911. Moreover he is recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in Arkansas and at the present writing is serving as secretary of the state central committee. He was born in Ontario, Canada, March 8, 1879, and was but five years of age when his parents crossed the border into this country. He is a son of Ira O. and Elizabeth A. ( Moxley ) Mallory, who were likewise natives of Canada. The father was also born in Ontario and there resided until 1885, when he came to the United States and for a considerable period lived in Pontiac, Illinois. His wife died in Pennsylvania in 1913 and he survived only until 1914, passing away in Florida. Their children were three in number: George L., Frank L., and Charles Norton.

George Leonard Mallory was a little lad of hut five years when his parents removed to Illinois, and his early education was largely acquired in Pontiac, that state. He after- ward attended the Lake Forest University, which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Arts degree and was also a student in the University of Chicago. When he had com- pleted his studies he became correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and for a time was employed by the City Press Association of Chicago. His identification with newspaper interests covered several years and constituted a valuable training school for later professional activity. In November, 1902, he came to Arkansas, where he was made editor of the State Republican, which position he held for ten years, and it is safe to say that there are few so thoroughly familiar with the political. history of Arkansas as George L. Mallory. In the meantime he had determined to take up the practice of law

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and actuated by this desire he entered the law department of the University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated in 1911. After a very brief period he entered upon active practice and his progress has been continuous and substantial from that time to the present. His powers have constantly developed through the exercise of effort and he is today recognized as an able advocate and wise counselor. He is serving as attorney in Arkansas for the Aetna companies and also represents a number of other important corporate interests.

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Centennial history of Arkansas, Part 55

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878 Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1172

Author: Herndon, Dallas T. (Dallas Tabor), b. 1878
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago, Little Rock, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1172